Urine collection device

Abstract

A device for collecting urine includes a container kept at vacuum, an interface locatable at the urethral opening of a person and a pump operable to create a vacuum within the container. A sensor senses the presence of urine at the interface and opens a valve to allow the pumping of urine from the interface to the container.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A urine collection device for collecting urine produced by a person, comprising: 
       a. a container for storing collected urine;  
       b. an interface for collecting urine from the urethral opening of a user;  
       c. a valve operable to open communication between the interface and the container;  
       d. a pump operable to produce a vacuum within the container;  
       e. a vacuum sensor coupled to the pump for maintaining the vacuum substantially continuously during use of the device, including during intermittent operation of the valve;  
       f. a urine sensor operable to sense the presence of urine at the interface and to operate the valve to open communication between the interface and the container to cause said vacuum to draw urine from the interface to the container.  
     
     
       2. The urine collection device of  claim 1  further comprising a filter at or adjacent the top of said container allowing egress of urine or other aqueous fluids, but at least substantially preventing egress of air into the container. 
     
     
       3. The urine collection device of  claim 1  further comprising a filter in the container allowing egress of air from drawn urine but substantially preventing egress of urine or other fluids. 
     
     
       4. The urine collection device of  claim 3  wherein the filter at least substantially prevents egress of bacteria from said container. 
     
     
       5. The urine collection device of  claim 1  wherein the urine sensor includes a heat transducer. 
     
     
       6. The urine collection device of  claim 1  wherein the urine sensor includes an optical sensor. 
     
     
       7. The urine collection device of  claim 1  wherein the urine sensor includes a resistivity sensor. 
     
     
       8. The urine collection device of  claim 1  wherein the urine sensor includes a conductivity sensor. 
     
     
       9. A method of collecting urine in a collection device, the collection device including 
       (i) a container for storing collected urine,  
       (ii) a urethral tract opening interface,  
       (iii) a pump operable to create a vacuum in the container, and  
       (iv) a valve operable to open communication between the interface and the container, the method including the steps of:  
       a. providing a substantially continuous vacuum in said container,  
       b. maintaining the vacuum including on intermittent operation of the valve,  
       c. sensing the presence of urine at the interface, and  
       d. opening communication from the interface to the container on sensing of urine at the interface.  
     
     
       10. A method according to  claim 9  wherein urine is drawn at the rate at which it is produced. 
     
     
       11. A method according to  claim 10  wherein urine is drawn at a predetermined rate equivalent to the expected rate of production of urine. 
     
     
       12. A urine collection device comprising: 
       a. an interface having an interface interior wherein urine is collected from the urethral opening of a user;  
       b. a container downstream from the interface, the container having a container interior wherein urine is collected from the interface, and wherein the container interior is continuously maintained at lower pressure than the interface interior;  
       c. a valve situated between the interface and the container, the valve being operable to allow fluid communication between the interface and the container;  
       d. a urine sensor operable to detect the presence of urine upstream from the valve, the urine sensor communicating with the valve,  
       wherein the urine sensor opens the valve upon detection of urine, thereby allowing the lower pressure within the container interior to draw urine from the interface into the container.  
     
     
       13. The urine collection device of  claim 12  further comprising a filter interposed between the interface and the container. 
     
     
       14. The urine collection device of  claim 12  further comprising a liner situated within the container, with the container interior being situated within the liner. 
     
     
       15. The urine collection device of  claim 14  wherein the container is foraminated, thereby maintaining any space between the container and liner at ambient pressure. 
     
     
       16. The urine collection device of  claim 12  wherein the interface interior is occupied by porous material. 
     
     
       17. The urine collection device of  claim 16  wherein the interface is defined by a pad contoured to fit the human body, and wherein the pad has one or more apertures defined therein to allow passage of urine to the porous material. 
     
     
       18. The urine collection device of  claim 12  wherein the urine sensor includes at least one of: 
       a. a heat sensor;  
       b. a resistivity sensor; and  
       c. a conductivity sensor.